Information output method, information output device, and program

ABSTRACT

An information output method in an information output device acquires first information on an operation history of one or more devices operated by one or more users, acquires second information that identifies a user detected in the vicinity of one or more output devices, acquires third information on behavior of the user, identifies a device whose state is changed or whose state is changeable within a predetermined time among the one or more devices and an operator who performs operation relating to the change in the state based on the first information, determines an output mode and content of notification information on the identified device to the detected user based on information on the identified device and operator, the second information, and the third information, and outputs, in the determined output mode, notification information having the determined content to one or more output devices that detect the detected user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information output method, aninformation output device, and a program for outputting information on adevice.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a technique of outputting information to a plurality ofdisplays disposed in an environment is known. For example, PatentLiterature 1 discloses a method of identifying a user existing near adisplay and displaying content associated with the user on the displayuntil the user arrives at a destination. Further, Patent Literature 2discloses a method of detecting the orientation of a face of a user inthe vicinity of a display unit that includes a touch panel shared by aplurality of users in a case where the users operate the display unit,and changing the size of an operation object being displayed inaccordance with the detected orientation of the face.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-145990

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-177845

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the usernear the display is identified, and the content associated with theidentified user is displayed. For this reason, in a case where the userdoes not move near the display at home or the like, notifyinginformation when necessary in view of the user's state has beendifficult.

Further, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 2 changes anoperation object output to the display unit according to the orientationof the face of the user in the vicinity of the display unit. For thisreason, acquiring information has been difficult unless the userapproaches the display unit until the operation becomes possible.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, andan object thereof is to provide an information output method, aninformation output device, and a program that can notify a user in thevicinity of an output device of information on a device having thecontent according to the behavior of the user in an output modeaccording to the behavior of the user.

An information output method according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure is an information output method in an information outputdevice that outputs information to one or more output devices used byone or more users. The information output method acquires firstinformation on an operation history of one or more devices operated bythe one or more users, performs processing of acquiring secondinformation that identifies a user detected in a vicinity of the one ormore output devices, acquires third information on behavior of the userdetected in the vicinity of the one or more output devices, identifies adevice whose state is changed or whose state is changeable within apredetermined time among the one or more devices and an operator whoperforms operation relating to the change in the state based on thefirst information, determines an output mode and content of notificationinformation on the identified device to the detected user based oninformation on the identified device and operator, the secondinformation, and the third information, and outputs, in the determinedoutput mode, notification information having the determined content toone or more output devices that detect the detected user.

According to the present disclosure, a user in the vicinity of theoutput device can be notified of information on a device having contentcorresponding to the behavior of the user in an output modecorresponding to the behavior of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an entire configuration of anotification system in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of configurations of apanel device and a cloud server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configurationof a user behavior acquisition unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation historyinformation table.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of an output image ofnotification information in a summary display notification mode.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of an output image ofnotification information in a voice notification mode.

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example of an output image ofnotification information in a detailed display notification mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing entire operation of the notificationsystem.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of user behavior acquisitionprocessing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of notification targetidentifying processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of notifying meansdetermination processing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Knowledge That Forms the Basis of the PresentDisclosure

Hereinafter, the knowledge that forms the basis of the presentdisclosure will be described. In recent years, a method of identifying auser and notifying content suitable for the user has been studied. Inparticular, in an environment such as a home, where a plurality of usersshare a device, relax, and live, it is important to notify necessaryinformation to a user, who needs to be notified about a device, onlywhen the information is necessary without causing interference withother users.

However, even for the same user, there are a situation in whichnotification is necessary and a situation in which notification is notnecessary. Further, there may also be a user who does not neednotification. For this reason, performing notification to each user in auniform manner is difficult. Further, in order to efficiently perform adaily activity in an environment, there is a case where the user needsto check notification information while doing other work. On the otherhand, there is a case where notification is not necessary, such asduring family gatherings.

However, in the past, no technical solution has been studied fornotifying information in a mode and with the content suitable to thebehavior of the user in one or more output devices such as a paneldevice installed in each room.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the aboveproblems, and an object thereof is to provide an information outputmethod, an information output device, and a program that can notify auser near an output device of information on a device having the contentcorresponding to the behavior of the user in an output modecorresponding to the behavior of the user.

An information output method according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure is an information output method in an information outputdevice that outputs information to one or more output devices used byone or more users. The information output method acquires firstinformation on an operation history of one or more devices operated bythe one or more users, performs processing of acquiring secondinformation that identifies a user detected in a vicinity of the one ormore output devices, acquires third information on behavior of the userdetected in the vicinity of the one or more output devices, identifies adevice whose state is changed or whose state is changeable within apredetermined time among the one or more devices and an operator whoperforms operation relating to the change in the state based on thefirst information, determines an output mode and content of notificationinformation on the identified device to the detected user based oninformation on the identified device and operator, the secondinformation, and the third information, and outputs, in the determinedoutput mode, notification information having the determined content toone or more output devices that detect the detected user.

Further, an information output device according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure is an information output device that outputsinformation to one or more output devices used by one or more users. Theinformation output device includes a first acquisition unit thatacquires first information on an operation history of one or moredevices operated by the one or more users, a second acquisition unitthat performs processing of acquiring second information that identifiesa user detected in a vicinity of the one or more output devices, a thirdacquisition unit that acquires third information on behavior of a userdetected in the vicinity of the one or more output devices, anidentification unit that identifies a device whose state is changed orwhose state is changeable within a predetermined time among the one ormore devices and an operator who performs operation relating to thechange in the state based on the first information, a determination unitthat determines an output mode and content of notification informationon the identified device to the detected user based on information onthe identified device and operator, the second information, and thethird information, and an output unit that outputs, in the determinedoutput mode, notification information having the determined content toone or more output devices that detect the detected user.

According to these aspects, based on the first information, a devicewhose state is changed or whose state is changeable within apredetermined time among one or more of devices and an operator whoperforms operation relating to the change in the state are identified.Then, to one or more output devices that detect a user identified by thesecond information in the vicinity, notification information is outputin an output mode determined based on the information on the identifieddevice and operator, the second information, and the third information.The notification information is information on the identified devicehaving the content determined based on the information on the identifieddevice and operator, the second information, and the third information.

For this reason, the user who exists in the vicinity of one or moreoutput devices that output the notification information and isidentified by the second information can be notified of the notificationinformation on a device having the content corresponding to the behaviorof the user himself or herself based on the third information in theoutput mode corresponding to the behavior of the user himself or herselfbased on the third information.

In the above aspect, the information output device may include a memorythat stores in advance identification information that identifies theone or more users and characteristic information including at least oneof information indicating a skeleton of the one or more users andinformation indicating a face in a manner that the identificationinformation and the characteristic information are associated with eachother, and the characteristic information of the detected user may beacquired from an image obtained by shooting the detected user, and theidentification information corresponding to the acquired characteristicinformation may be acquired from the memory, and the acquiredidentification information may be generated as the second information.

According to the present aspect, the second information is generatedusing the characteristic information acquired from an image obtained byshooting the detected user and the identification information and thecharacteristic information stored in advance in the memory inassociation with each other. For this reason, the information outputdevice can acquire the generated second information in the processing ofacquiring the second information.

In the above aspect, the third information may be information on firstbehavior indicating that intention of acquiring information is firstdegree, information on second behavior indicating that intention ofacquiring information is second degree higher than the first degree, orinformation on third behavior indicating that intention of acquiringinformation is third degree lower than the first degree.

According to the present aspect, the degree of intention of acquiringinformation of the user can be grasped from the third information on thebehavior of the user identified by the second information. For thisreason, the user identified by the second information can be notified ofthe notification information having the content corresponding to thedegree of intention of acquiring information of the user himself orherself in an output mode corresponding to the degree of intention ofacquiring information of the user himself or herself.

In the above aspect, a user detected in the vicinity of the one or moreoutput devices may be shot, the third information indicating the secondbehavior may be generated in a case where recognition time during whicha face of the detected user can be recognized from the shot image is thefirst time or more, the third information indicating the first behaviormay be generated in a case where the recognition time is less than thefirst time, and the third information indicating the third behavior maybe generated in a case where, although a face of the detected usercannot be recognized from the shot image, a skeleton of the detecteduser can be recognized.

According to the present aspect, whether the behavior of the detecteduser is the first behavior, the second behavior, or the third behaviorcan be appropriately determined based on the recognition time duringwhich a face of the detected user can be recognized from the imageobtained by shooting the detected user and the determination result asto whether or not the face and the skeleton of the detected user can berecognized from the image.

Further, in the above aspect, processing of acquiring twice a clearancebetween the one or more output devices and the detected user may beperformed, the third information indicating information on the secondbehavior may be generated in a case where the clearance acquired asecond time is equal to or less than the clearance acquired a firsttime, and the third information indicating information on the thirdbehavior may be generated in a case where the clearance acquired asecond time is larger than the clearance acquired a first time.

According to the present aspect, based on a result of acquiring aclearance between one or more output devices and the detected usertwice, whether the behavior of the detected user is the second behavioror the third behavior can be appropriately determined.

Further, in the above aspect, the one or more output devices may includea display unit that displays information and a voice output unit thatoutputs voice, and the output mode may include at least one ofdisplaying of the notification information on the display unit andoutput of voice indicating the notification information by the voiceoutput unit, or non-output of the notification information.

According to the present aspect, the detected user can be notified ofthe notification information through at least one of sight and hearing.Further, in a case where the output mode is determined to be non-outputof the notification information, notifying the detected user of thenotification information can be avoided. For this reason, for example,in a case where behavior of the detected the user is behavior in whichintention of acquiring information is low, unnecessary notification ofthe notification information to the user can be prevented.

Further, in the above aspect, the content may include informationindicating a state of the identified device or information indicatingsetting and a state of the identified device.

According to the present aspect, the user who is detected in thevicinity of one or more output devices and identified by the secondinformation can be allowed to grasp information indicating a state of adevice identified based on the first information or informationindicating setting and a state of the device identified based on thefirst information.

Further, in the above aspect, fourth information on a history of the oneor more output devices detecting the one or more users in the vicinitymay be further acquired, and an output device of an output destinationof the notification information may be identified based on the fourthinformation and the second information in a case where a user isdetected in the vicinity of a plurality of output devices.

According to the present aspect, an output device to which thenotification information is to be output is identified based on ahistory of detection of the user identified by the second information inthe vicinity of a plurality of the output devices. For this reason, thenotification information can be output to an output device that islikely to be approached by the user. In this manner, the notificationinformation can be notified to the user more reliably.

Further, in the above aspect, the one or more output devices may includea display unit that displays information, and displaying of thenotification information on the display unit may be determined as theoutput mode, and a state of the identified device may be determined asthe content in a case where the second information cannot be acquired.

According to the present aspect, a state of the identified device isdisplayed even in a case where the user existing in the vicinity of oneor more output devices cannot be identified. For this reason, thepossibility that the unidentifiable user is allowed to grasp a state ofthe device can be increased. As a result, the possibility that a stateof the device is transmitted from the unidentifiable user to a user whooperates the identified device can be increased.

Further, in the above aspect, the first information may includeremaining time information indicating remaining time until the one ormore devices change to a state in which operation is completed, and theoutput mode and the content may be determined based on remaining timeindicated by the remaining time information on the identified device andthe third information.

According to the present aspect, an output mode and content of thenotification information on the identified device can be differentiatedin consideration of remaining time until the identified device changesto a state in which operation is completed and behavior of the userrelated to the third information.

Further, in the above aspect, based on elapsed time from a time point atwhich first notification information on a first device is output untilthe first device is operated next, a user to which the firstnotification information is to be re-output may be determined, and thefirst notification information may be re-output to one or more outputdevices that detect the determined user in the vicinity.

According to the present aspect, the first notification information canbe re-output to an appropriate user in consideration of elapsed timefrom a time point at which the first notification information on thefirst device is output until operation of the first device is performednext. For this reason, for example, in a case where the elapsed time isshorter than a predetermined time, the first notification informationcan be re-output only to the operator of the first device, and, in acase where the elapsed time is equal to or more than the predeterminedtime, the first notification information can be re-output to all users.In this case, the possibility that any user is allowed to grasp contentof the first notification information.

The present disclosure can also be realized as a computer program thatcauses a computer to execute characteristic processing included in sucha method. Further, it goes without saying that such a computer programcan be distributed via a computer-readable non-transitory recordingmedium, such as a CD-ROM, or a communication network, such as theInternet.

Note that all embodiments described below show one specific example ofthe present disclosure. Numerical values, shapes, constituents, steps,order of steps, and the like described in the embodiments below aremerely examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.Further, among the constituents in the embodiments below, constituentsnot described in an independent claim indicating the highest concept aredescribed as optional constituents.

First Embodiment 1. System Configuration

First, a configuration of a notification system 100 in a firstembodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example ofan entire configuration of the notification system 100 in the firstembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the notification system 100 includes a cloud server101, one or more panel devices 102 (output device, information outputdevice) used by one or more users 104, and one or more controlleddevices 103 (devices) that one or more of the users 104 can operate byusing the panel device 102 and the like.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the notification system 100 isused by a family of three members in a house. For example, the user 104“user A” shown in FIG. 1 is a mother, the user 104 “user B” is a father,and the user 104 “user C” is a child. However, the user 104 who uses thenotification system 100 is not limited to this.

The panel device 102 is installed on a wall in the house. For example,the panel device 102 is installed on a wall of a room such as a livingroom, a kitchen, an entrance, a sanitary room, and a bedroom. Note thatthe panel device 102 may be installed on a wall of a corridor and thelike, unlike the room illustrated here. FIG. 1 shows an example in whichthree of the panel devices 102 “panel device A”, “panel device B”, and“panel device C” are provided in a house. However, the number of thepanel devices 102 is not limited to three and only needs to be one ormore.

The panel device 102 is a device for allowing the user 104 to operateone or more of the controlled devices 103. Further, the panel device 102is a device that notifies the user 104 of information on one or more ofthe controlled devices 103.

The panel device 102 includes a display that displays information and atouch panel device that receives touch operation of the user 104 on thedisplay. The display displays an operation state of the controlleddevice 103. In this manner, an operation state of the controlled device103 is notified to the user 104. The touch panel device receives touchoperation by the user 104. In this manner, the panel device 102 itselfand the controlled device 103 connected via a network 110 are operated.

Further, the panel device 102 includes a voice input device such as amicrophone, by which the panel device 102 itself and the controlleddevice 103 connected via the network 110 can be operated by voice input.Further, the panel device 102 includes a voice output device such as aspeaker and outputs voice indicating an operation state of thecontrolled device 103. In this manner, the operation state of thecontrolled device 103 is notified to the user 104 as a voice message.

Note that a plurality of the controlled devices 103 can be operatedsimultaneously by one of the panel device 102. Further, from any of thepanel device 102 in a house, the operation and operating state of allthe controlled devices 103 in the house can be notified. For example,the controlled device 103 in a kitchen can be operated from the paneldevice 102 set in a living room. Further, an operation state of thecontrolled device 103 in the kitchen can be notified to the panel device102 set in a living room.

The controlled device 103 is what is called an Internet of Things (IoT)home appliance that can communicate with the panel device 102 and thecloud server 101 via the network 110 such as a LAN, a wireless LAN, orthe Internet. For example, the controlled device 103 includes a washingmachine, a microwave oven, an air conditioner, and the like. Note thatthe controlled device 103 shown here is an example, and the presentdisclosure is not limited to this.

The controlled device 103 transmits information on operation of thecontrolled device 103 (hereinafter, operation history information (firstinformation)) to the cloud server 101 via the network 110 when anoperation state of the controlled device 103 itself is changed or whenthe operation state may be changed within a predetermined time by theoperation of the panel device 102 by the user 104. The operation historyinformation includes identification information of the user 104(hereinafter, operator) who operates the controlled device 103,information on an operation state of the controlled device 103, and thelike.

The controlled device 103 can be operated not only by operation usingthe panel device 102 but also by operation of an operation buttonprovided on the controlled device 103. Further, operation via thenetwork 110 from a mobile terminal (not shown) such as a smartphonepossessed by the user 104 can also be performed. The controlled device103 also transmits the operation history information to the cloud server101 when an operation state of the controlled device 103 itself ischanged or when the operation state may be changed within apredetermined time by the operation by the operation button and theportable terminal.

Note that the controlled device 103 may transmit the operation historyinformation not including the identification information of the operatorof the controlled device 103 to the cloud server 101 when an operationstate of the controlled device 103 itself is changed or when theoperation state may be changed within a predetermined time. After that,the identification information of the operator may be included in theoperation history information stored in the cloud server 101 by the user104 performing operation via the network 110 using a mobile terminal orthe like.

The cloud server 101 is what is called a virtual server, and isconfigured to be able to communicate with external devices such as thepanel device 102 and the controlled device 103 connected to the network110. Note that the cloud server 101 is not limited to a virtual server,and may be composed of a plurality of computers physically including acentral processing unit (CPU) and a storage device such as a memory, anda hard disk drive (HDD). Further, the cloud server 101 may be a singlepersonal computer.

The cloud server 101 manages huge data (big data) that is difficult tohandle with a general database management tool and the like, theoperation history information acquired from one or more of thecontrolled devices 103, and the like.

Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, the paneldevice 102 is configured to be able to detect the user 104 existing inthe vicinity of the panel device 102 and identify the detected user 104.Further, the panel device 102 is configured to be able to acquireinformation (third information) on the behavior of the detected user 104(hereinafter, user behavior).

In the present embodiment, the user behavior that the panel device 102can acquire is assumed to be a behavior that indicates the degree ofintention of the user 104 to acquire information from the panel device102. In the present embodiment, the user behavior is classified intothree behaviors, “glancing”, “gazing”, and “not looking”.

The behavior “glancing” is a state in which the user 104 glances at thepanel device 102 and is slightly aware of the panel device 102, and isdefined as a behavior (first behavior) indicating that the intention ofacquiring information from the panel device 102 is medium (firstdegree). The behavior “gazing” is a state in which the user 104 isgazing at the panel device 102 and is strongly aware of the panel device102, and is defined as a behavior (second behavior) indicating that theintention of acquiring information from the panel device 102 is at thedegree (second degree) higher than the case of the behavior “glancing”.The behavior “not looking” is a state in which the user 104 is notlooking at the panel device 102 and is not aware of the panel device102, and is defined as a behavior (third behavior) indicating that theintention of acquiring information from the panel device 102 is at thedegree (third degree) lower than the case of the behavior “glancing”.

Details of a detection method of the user 104 existing in the vicinity,an identification method of the detected user 104, and an acquisitionmethod of information on the user behavior in the panel device 102 willbe described later.

The panel device 102 acquires the operation history information of thecontrolled device 103 from the cloud server 101 via the network 110. Thepanel device 102 identifies, on the basis of the acquired operationhistory information, the controlled device 103 whose state is changed orwhose state is changeable within a predetermined time and the operatorof the controlled device 103. Based on the information on the identifiedcontrolled device 103 and the operator, a user ID (second information)for identifying the user 104 detected in the vicinity, and informationon the behavior of the user 104, the panel device 102 determines anoutput mode and content of the notification information on theidentified controlled device 103 to the detected user 104. Then, thepanel device 102 outputs the notification information of the determinedcontent in the determined output mode.

2. Configuration of Panel Device

Next, the configuration of the panel device 102 will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing anexample of the configurations of the panel device 102 and the cloudserver 101.

As shown in FIG. 2, the panel device 102 includes an operation unit 201,a voice input unit 202, a device state acquisition unit 203 (firstacquisition unit, identification unit), a panel control unit 204, avoice output unit 205 (output unit), a communication unit 206, a userbehavior acquisition unit 207 (third acquisition unit), a userinformation storage unit 208 (memory), a notifying means determinationunit 209 (determination unit), and a display unit 210 (output unit).

The operation unit 201 is composed of, for example, a touch paneldevice. The operation unit 201 receives touch operation performed by theuser 104, and transmits an operation command corresponding to thereceived touch operation to the controlled device 103 connected via thepanel device 102 itself and the network 110.

The communication unit 206 is composed of a communication interfacecircuit that connects the panel device 102 to the network 110 in a wiredor wireless manner, and communicates with the controlled device 103 andthe cloud server 101 via the network 110.

The voice input unit 202 is composed of, for example, a microphone suchas a stereo microphone, receives voice input by the user 104, andtransmits an operation command to the controlled device 103, which isconnected via operation of the panel device 102 itself and the network110.

The display unit 210 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay, and displays information instructed by the panel control unit204.

The voice output unit 205 is composed of, for example, a speaker such asa stereo speaker, and outputs voice instructed by the panel control unit204.

The user behavior acquisition unit 207 is composed of, for example, adistance measurement sensor, a camera, and a microcomputer, detects theuser 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102, identifiesthe detected user 104, and acquires information on the behavior of thedetected user 104.

The user information storage unit 208 is composed of, for example, astorage device such as an HDD or a solid state drive (SSD), and recordsfeature amount data (feature information) of the user 104 used when theuser behavior acquisition unit 207 identifies the user 104 inassociation with a user ID (identification information) for identifyingthe user 104.

Here, the feature amount data includes, for example, at least one of afeature amount of the skeleton (information indicating the skeleton) anda feature amount of the face (information indicating the face) of eachof the users 104 recognized from an image obtained by shooting each ofthe users 104. Note that the feature amount data of each of the users104 is created in initial setting performed when the panel device 102 isinstalled in the house, and is stored in the user information storageunit 208.

The device state acquisition unit 203 is composed of, for example, amicrocomputer, make an access to the cloud server 101 via thecommunication unit 206, and acquires the operation history informationof the controlled device 103 stored in the cloud server 101. Then, basedon the acquired operation history information, the device stateacquisition unit 203 identifies the controlled device 103 whose state ischanged or whose state is changeable within a predetermined time amongone or more of the controlled devices 103 and the operator who performsoperation relating to the change in the state.

The notifying means determination unit 209 is composed of, for example,a microcomputer. Based on the information on the identified controlleddevice 103 and the operator identified by the device state acquisitionunit 203, the user ID of the user 104 detected by the user behavioracquisition unit 207, and the information on the behavior of thedetected user 104 acquired from the user behavior acquisition unit 207,the notifying means determination unit 209 determines an output mode andcontent of the notification information on the identified controlleddevice 103 to the detected user 104.

In the present embodiment, the output mode of the notificationinformation determined by the notifying means determination unit 209includes at least one of displaying of the notification information bythe display unit 210 and output of voice indicating the notificationinformation by the voice output unit 205, or non-output of thenotification information. The content of the notification informationdetermined by the notifying means determination unit 209 includesinformation indicating an operation state of the controlled device 103or information indicating the setting and operation state of thecontrolled device 103.

The panel control unit 204 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer,and outputs the notification information having the content determinedby the notifying means determination unit 209 in the output modedetermined by the notifying means determination unit 209.

Here, an output image of the notification information by the paneldevice 102 will be described. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example ofan output image of the notification information in a summary displaynotification mode. For example, assume that the controlled device 103identified by the notifying means determination unit 209 is a “washingmachine”, and an operation state of the controlled device 103 “washingmachine” is “dehydrating, 15 minutes remaining”. In this case, assumethat the notifying means determination unit 209 determines that anoutput mode of the notification information is displaying of thenotification information on the display unit 210, and determines thatthe content is information indicating the operation state of thecontrolled device 103. In this case, the panel control unit 204 switchesthe panel device 102 to the summary display notification mode.

In the summary display notification mode, the panel control unit 204controls the display unit 210 to display, for example, as shown in FIG.5A, an image Ga showing the operation state “dehydrating, 15 minutesremaining” of the identified controlled device 103 “washing machine”. Inthe summary display notification mode, the user 104 can visuallyrecognize the operation state of the identified controlled device 103.For this reason, this mode is suitable in a case where, for example, thebehavior of the user 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device102 is the behavior in which the intention of acquiring information ismedium.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of an output image of thenotification information in a voice notification mode. For example,assume that the controlled device 103 identified by the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 is a “microwave oven”, an operation state of thecontrolled device 103 “microwave oven” is “completed”, and a parameter(hereinafter, setting parameter) indicating the setting of thecontrolled device 103 “microwave oven” is “preheating oven to 150° C.”.In this case, assume that the notifying means determination unit 209determines that an output mode of the notification information is outputof voice indicating the notification information by the voice outputunit 205, and determines that the content is information indicating thesetting and the operation state of the controlled device 103. In thiscase, the panel control unit 204 switches the panel device 102 to thevoice notification mode.

In the voice notification mode, the panel control unit 204 controls thevoice output unit 205, and outputs, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, avoice message Vb “preheating of microwave oven to 150° C. is completed”indicating the setting parameter “preheating oven to 150° C.” and theoperation state “completed” of the controlled device 103 “microwaveoven”. In the voice notification mode, the user 104 can be notified byvoice of the setting parameter and the operation state of the controlleddevice 103. For this reason, this mode is suitable in a case where, forexample, the behavior of the user 104 existing in the vicinity of thepanel device 102 is the behavior in which the intention of acquiringinformation is low.

Note that, in the voice notification mode, the panel control unit 204may control, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the display unit 210 tofurther display an image Gb indicating the operation state “completed”of the controlled device 103 “microwave oven”.

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example of an output image of thenotification information in a detailed display notification mode. Forexample, assume that the controlled device 103 identified by thenotifying means determination unit 209 is a “washing machine”, and anoperation state of the controlled device 103 “washing machine” is“dehydrating, 15 minutes remaining”. Further, assume that the settingparameter of the controlled device 103 “washing machine” is “automaticcourse detergent XX”. In this case, assume that the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 determines that the output mode is displaying ofthe notification information on the display unit 210, and determinesthat the content is information indicating the setting and the operationstate of the controlled device 103. In this case, the panel control unit204 switches the panel device 102 to the detailed display notificationmode.

In the detailed display notification mode, the panel control unit 204controls the display unit 210 to display, for example, as shown in FIG.5C, an image Gc showing the setting parameter “automatic coursedetergent XX” and the operation state “dehydrating, 15 minutesremaining” of the identified controlled device 103 “washing machine”. Inthe detailed display notification mode, the user 104 can visuallyrecognize more detailed information on the controlled device 103 than inthe summary display notification mode. For this reason, this mode issuitable in a case where, for example, the behavior of the user 104existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 is the behavior inwhich the intention of acquiring information is high.

3. Cloud Server Configuration

Next, the configuration of the cloud server 101 will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cloud server 101 includes a communication unit211, an operation history storage unit 212, a notification managementunit 213, and a device management unit 214.

The communication unit 211 is composed of a communication interfacecircuit that connects the cloud server 101 to the network 110 in a wiredor wireless manner, and communicates with the controlled device 103 andthe panel device 102 via the network 110.

The operation history storage unit 212 is composed of, for example, astorage device such as an HDD, and stores the operation historyinformation acquired from each of the controlled devices 103 in thehouse.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation historyinformation table T1. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation history storageunit 212 includes the operation history information table T1 for storingthe operation history information. The operation history information isinformation in which an ID, an operation date and time, a house ID, anoperator ID, a device ID, a device name, a setting parameter, anoperation state, and notification management are associated with eachother.

The ID is an identifier (for example, “001”) of the operation historyinformation acquired from the controlled device 103. The operation dateand time is the date and time when the controlled device 103 is operated(for example, “10:01 on Dec. 17, 2018”). The house ID is an identifier(for example, “H001”) of a house to which the user 104 who operates thecontrolled device 103 belongs. The operator ID is an identifier (forexample, “U00A”) of the user 104 who operates the controlled device 103.The device ID is an identifier (for example, “D001”) of the controlleddevice 103 that is operated. The device name is a name of the controlleddevice 103 that is operated (for example, “washing machine”, “airconditioner”, “microwave oven”). As described above, the operationhistory information has a structure in which, for each house, one ormore of the users 104 belonging to each house can manage a history ofoperating one or more of the controlled devices 103 belonging to eachhouse.

The setting parameter is a parameter set when the user 104 operates thecontrolled device 103 (for example, “automatic course detergent XX”).The operation state is information on the operation state of thecontrolled device 103. The information on the operation state includesthe operation state of the controlled device 103 (for example,“dehydrating”, “stopped”, “completed”), the remaining time required forthe controlled device 103 to change to a next operation state (forexample, “15 minutes remaining”), and the like.

The notification management is information indicating whether or not thenotification information on the controlled device 103 is output by thepanel device 102. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the notificationmanagement of the controlled device 103 with the device ID “D001” is“yet to be performed”. This indicates that the panel device 102 has notoutput the notification information on the controlled device 103.Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the notification management ofthe controlled device 103 with the device ID “D002” is “-”. Thisindicates that the device is not to be managed as to whether or not thepanel device 102 outputs the notification information on the controlleddevice 103.

The notification management unit 213 manages whether or not thenotification information on the controlled device 103 is output by thepanel device 102.

Specifically, assume that, after the notification information on thecontrolled device 103 is output on the panel device 102, any of theusers 104 operates the controlled device 103. In this manner, assumethat the operation history information newly transmitted by thecontrolled device 103 is stored in the operation history informationtable T1 (FIG. 4). In this case, the notification management unit 213refers to the operation history information transmitted last time by thecontrolled device 103, which is stored in the operation historyinformation table T1 (FIG. 4). Then, when the notification management ofthe operation history information that is referred to is “yet to beperformed”, the notification management unit 213 updates thenotification management to “completed”. On the other hand, when thenotification management of the operation history information that isreferred to is “-”, the notification management unit 213 performsnothing.

The device management unit 214 manages information on one or more of thecontrolled devices 103 in the house. The information on the controlleddevice 103 includes a device ID for identifying the controlled device103, a name of the controlled device 103, a house ID for identifying ahouse to which the controlled device 103 belongs, and the like. Further,every time the communication unit 211 receives the operation historyinformation from the controlled device 103, the device management unit214 stores the received operation history information in the operationhistory information table T1 (FIG. 4).

4. Detailed Configuration of the User Behavior Acquisition Unit 207

Next, a detailed configuration of the user behavior acquisition unit 207included in the panel device 102 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of adetailed configuration of the user behavior acquisition unit 207.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user behavior acquisition unit 207 includes aproximity sensor value acquisition unit 304, a skeleton detection unit301, a user identification unit 302 (second acquisition unit), a facedetection unit 303, and a behavior determination unit 305 (thirdacquisition unit).

The proximity sensor value acquisition unit 304 is what is called adistance measuring sensor, and acquires a clearance from an objectexisting within a predetermined range from the front surface of thepanel device 102. For example, the distance measuring sensor is composedof an infrared sensor that measures a clearance from the object using aninfrared ray. Note that the distance measuring sensor is not limited tothis, and may be composed of a depth camera that acquires the clearancefrom an image obtained by shooting the object.

The skeleton detection unit 301 is composed of, for example, a cameraand a microcomputer, and detects a feature amount of the skeleton of aperson existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102. Specifically,the skeleton detection unit 301 shoots the vicinity of the panel device102 with a camera and performs publicly-known image recognitionprocessing, so as to detect a feature amount of the skeleton of a personexisting in the vicinity of the panel device 102 from the shot image.

The face detection unit 303 is composed of, for example, a camera and amicrocomputer, and detects a feature amount of the face of a personexisting in the vicinity of the panel device 102. Specifically, the facedetection unit 303 shoots the vicinity of the panel device 102 with acamera and performs publicly-known image recognition processing, so asto detect a feature amount of the face of a person existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 from the shot image.

The user identification unit 302 is composed of a microcomputer andidentifies the user 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device102. Specifically, the user identification unit 302 acquires, from theuser information storage unit 208, a user ID associated with dataindicating a feature amount detected by the skeleton detection unit 301or the face detection unit 303. The user identification unit 302generates the acquired user ID as a user ID of the user 104 existing inthe vicinity of the panel device 102.

The behavior determination unit 305 is composed of a microcomputer, anddetermines the behavior of the user 104 existing in the vicinity of thepanel device 102 based on detection results of the skeleton detectionunit 301 and the face detection unit 303 or a clearance acquired by theproximity sensor value acquisition unit 304.

Specifically, the behavior determination unit 305 determines that thebehavior of the user 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device102 is the behavior “gazing” in a case where the time (recognition time)during which the face detection unit 303 can detect the face of the user104 is a predetermined first time or longer. In this case, the behaviordetermination unit 305 generates information indicating that thebehavior of the user 104 is the behavior “gazing”, and outputs thegenerated information to the notifying means determination unit 209.

The behavior determination unit 305 determines that the behavior of theuser 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 is thebehavior “glancing” in a case where the time during which the facedetection unit 303 can detect the face of the user 104 is less than thepredetermined first time. In this case, the behavior determination unit305 generates information indicating that the behavior of the user 104is the behavior “glancing”, and outputs the generated information to thenotifying means determination unit 209.

The behavior determination unit 305 determines that the behavior of theuser 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 is thebehavior “not looking” in a case where, although the face detection unit303 cannot detect the face of the user 104, the skeleton detection unit301 can detect the skeleton of the user 104. In this case, the behaviordetermination unit 305 generates information indicating that thebehavior of the user 104 is the behavior “not looking”, and outputs thegenerated information to the notifying means determination unit 209.

5. Operation of the Notification System 100

Next, the operation of the notification system 100 will be specificallydescribed with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing entireoperation of the notification system 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the panel device 102 first performs user behavioracquisition processing (Step S101). The user behavior acquisitionprocessing is processing of identifying the user 104 existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 itself and acquiring informationindicating the behavior of the identified user 104.

Next, the panel device 102 performs a notification target identifyingprocessing (Step S102). The notification target identifying processingis processing of acquiring the operation history information from thecloud server 101 and identifying the controlled device 103 to benotified to the panel device 102 and the operator of the controlleddevice 103 based on the acquired operation history information.

Finally, the panel device 102 performs notifying means determinationprocessing (Step S103). The notifying means determination processing isprocessing of determining an output mode of the notification informationon the panel device 102 and the content of the notification informationbased on information on the controlled device 103 identified in StepS102 and the operator of the controlled device 103, the user ID of theuser 104 identified in Step S101, and the information indicating thebehavior of the user 104 acquired in Step S101.

5-1. User Behavior Acquisition Processing

Hereinafter, the user behavior acquisition processing will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing anexample of the user behavior acquisition processing. As shown in FIG. 7,in the user behavior acquisition processing of Step S101 (FIG. 6),first, the panel control unit 204 determines whether or not a personexists in the vicinity of the panel device 102 based on whether or notthe proximity sensor value acquisition unit 304 can acquire a clearance(Step S201).

In a case where the proximity sensor value acquisition unit 304 cannotacquire a clearance, the panel control unit 204 determines that noperson exists in the vicinity of the panel device 102 (NO in Step S201),and becomes in a standby state. On the other hand, when the proximitysensor value acquisition unit 304 acquires a clearance, the panelcontrol unit 204 determines that a person exists in the vicinity of thepanel device 102 (YES in Step S201), and moves the processing to StepS202.

In Step S202, the skeleton detection unit 301 performs skeletondetection processing for detecting a feature amount of the skeleton of aperson existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 (Step S202).Further, the face detection unit 303 performs face detection processingfor detecting a feature amount of the face of the person existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 for a predetermined period (Step S203).

Next, the user identification unit 302 determines whether or not theperson existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 can beidentified as the user 104 of the notification system 100 based on thedetection results in Steps S202 and S203 (Step S204).

Specifically, in Step S204, the user identification unit 302 performsprocessing of acquiring, from the user information storage unit 208, auser ID associated with data indicating the feature amount of theskeleton detected in Step S202 or the feature amount of the facedetected in Step S203. Here, in a case where one user ID can beacquired, the user identification unit 302 determines that a personexisting in the vicinity of the panel device 102 can be identified asthe user 104 identified by the acquired user ID (YES in Step S204).

Note that, for example, there is a case where a plurality of user IDsare acquired from the user information storage unit 208 since aplurality of the users 104 exist in an overlapping manner in thevicinity of the panel device 102. In this case, in order to prevent thenotification of the notification information from the panel device 102from being omitted, the user identification unit 302 acquires any one ofthe user IDs by a predetermined method such as a user ID acquired first.

On the other hand, assume that data indicating the feature amount of theskeleton detected in Step S202 or the feature amount of the facedetected in Step S203 is not stored in the user information storage unit208, and the user identification unit 302 cannot acquire a user IDassociated with the data. In this case, the user identification unit 302determines that the user 104 cannot be identified (NO in Step S204). Inthis case, the panel control unit 204 switches the panel device 102 tothe summary display notification mode (Step S407 (FIG. 9)). In thismanner, even in a case where the user 104 in the vicinity of the paneldevice 102 cannot be identified, the notification information can benotified to the unidentifiable user 104. As a result, the possibilitythat the content of the notification information is transmitted from theunidentifiable user 104 to the user 104 who operates the controlleddevice 103 related to the notification information can be increased.

When the user 104 is determined to be identifiable in Step S204 (YES inStep S204), the behavior determination unit 305 determines the behaviorof the user 104 detected in Step S201 and identified in Step S204.

Specifically, in Step S203, assume that the face detection unit 303detects a feature amount of the face of the user 104 one or more times(YES in Step S205), and the time during which the feature amount of theface can be detected is a predetermined first time t1 or more (YES inStep S206). In this case, the behavior determination unit 305 determinesthat the user 104 in the vicinity of the panel device 102 is looking atthe panel device 102 for a long time, and determines the behavior of theuser 104 as the behavior “gazing”. Then, the behavior determination unit305 generates information indicating that the behavior of the user 104is the behavior “gazing”, and outputs the generated information to thenotifying means determination unit 209 (Step S207).

On the other hand, in Step S203, assume that, although the facedetection unit 303 detects a feature amount of the face of the user 104one or more times (YES in Step S205), the time during which the featureamount of the face can be detected is less than the first time t1 (NO inStep S206). In this case, the behavior determination unit 305 determinesthat the user 104 in the vicinity of the panel device 102 glances at thepanel device 102 or repeats glancing at the panel device 102 a pluralityof times, and determines the behavior of the user 104 as the behavior“glancing”. Then, the behavior determination unit 305 generatesinformation indicating that the behavior of the user 104 is the behavior“glancing”, and outputs the generated information to the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 (Step S208).

Further, assume that the face detection unit 303 does not detect afeature amount of the face in Step S203, and the skeleton detection unit301 detects a feature amount of the skeleton in Step S202 (NO in StepS205). In this case, the behavior determination unit 305 determines thatthe user 104 in the vicinity of the panel device 102 looks away from thepanel device 102 and does not look at the panel device 102, anddetermines the behavior of the user 104 as the behavior “not looking”.Then, the behavior determination unit 305 generates informationindicating that the behavior of the user 104 is the behavior “notlooking”, and outputs the generated information to the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 (Step S209).

5-2. Notification Target Identifying Processing

Hereinafter, the notification target identifying processing will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchartshowing an example of the notification target identifying processing. Asshown in FIG. 8, in the notification target identifying processing ofStep S102 (FIG. 6), first, the device state acquisition unit 203 usesthe communication unit 206 to acquire the operation history informationincluding a house ID (for example, “H001”) of a house in which the paneldevice 102 is disposed from the operation history information table T1(FIG. 4) of the cloud server 101 (Step S301).

Next, the device state acquisition unit 203 determines whether or notthe operation history information in which the notification managementis “yet to be performed” exists in the operation history informationacquired in Step S301 (Step S302). In a case where the operation historyinformation in which the notification management is “yet to beperformed” is determined not to exist in Step S302 (NO in Step S302),the panel control unit 204 determines that the notification informationon the controlled device 103 does not need to be notified to the paneldevice 102. In this case, the panel control unit 204 finishes theprocessing without switching the panel device 102 to a notification mode(Step S408 (FIG. 9)). In this manner, notification of the notificationinformation is suppressed with respect to the controlled device 103corresponding to the operation history information in which thenotification management is “completed” or “-” instead of “yet to beperformed”. Note that the notification mode is a mode for causing thepanel device 102 to output the notification information.

On the other hand, assume that the device state acquisition unit 203determines that the operation history information (FIG. 4) in which thenotification management is “yet to be performed” exists in Step S302(YES in Step S302). In this case, based on the operation historyinformation in which the notification management is “yet to beperformed”, the device state acquisition unit 203 identifies thecontrolled device 103 whose operation state is changed or whoseoperation state is changeable within a predetermined time and theoperator who performs operation relating to the change in the operationstate (Step S303).

Here, Steps S301 to S303 will be described using a specific example. Inthe present specific example, assume that the operation historyinformation table T1 stores three pieces of the operation historyinformation shown in FIG. 4. Further, assume that the panel device 102that performs Steps S301 to S303 is disposed in the house ID “H001”. Inthis case, in Step S301, the device state acquisition unit 203 acquiresthree pieces of the operation history information shown in FIG. 4including the house ID “H001” from the operation history informationtable T1 (FIG. 4).

Next, in Step S302, the device state acquisition unit 203 determinesthat two pieces of the operation history information with IDs “001” and“003” in which the notification management is “yet to be performed”exist. In this case, in Step S303, the device state acquisition unit 203refers to the operation state included in the operation historyinformation with the IDs “001” and “003”.

The operation state “dehydrating, 15 minutes remaining” included in theoperation history information with the ID “001” indicates that theoperation state may change to a state in which the dehydration iscompleted within a predetermined time. For this reason, the device stateacquisition unit 203 identifies the controlled device 103 identified bythe device ID “D001” and the device name “washing machine” included inthe operation history information with the ID “001” as the controlleddevice 103 in which the operation state is changeable within apredetermined time. Further, the device state acquisition unit 203acquires an operator ID “U00A” included in the operation historyinformation with the ID “001”. Then, the device state acquisition unit203 identifies the user 104 identified by the acquired operator ID“U00A” as the operator who performs operation relating to the change tothe operation state “dehydrating, 15 minutes remaining”.

The operation state “completed” included in the operation historyinformation with the ID “003” indicates that the operation state ischanged to the state of operation completed. For this reason, the devicestate acquisition unit 203 identifies the controlled device 103identified by the device ID “D003” and the device name “microwave oven”included in the operation history information with the ID “003” as thecontrolled device 103 in which the operation state is changed. Further,the device state acquisition unit 203 acquires an operator ID “U00C”included in the operation history information with the ID “003”. Then,the device state acquisition unit 203 identifies the user 104 identifiedby the acquired operator ID “U00C” as the operator who performsoperation relating to the change to the operation state “completed”.

As described above, by performing Steps S301 to S303, the device stateacquisition unit 203 identifies the controlled device 103 as anotification target whose operation state is changed or whose operationstate is changeable within a predetermined time based on the operationhistory information stored in the cloud server 101. Then, the devicestate acquisition unit 203 identifies the operator who performs theoperation relating to the change in the operation state of theidentified controlled device 103.

Next, the device state acquisition unit 203 determines whether or notthe user 104 identified in Step S204 (FIG. 7) and the operatoridentified in Step S303 match with each other (Step S304). Specifically,the device state acquisition unit 203 determines whether or not theoperator ID acquired in Step S303 and the user ID acquired by the useridentification unit 302 in Step S204 (FIG. 7) match with each other.

Assume that the device state acquisition unit 203 determines that theuser 104 identified in Step S204 (FIG. 7) and the operator identified inStep S303 match with each other in Step S304 (YES in Step S304). In thiscase, the device state acquisition unit 203 finishes the notificationtarget identifying processing of Step S102 (FIG. 6) and moves theprocessing to Step S103 (FIG. 6).

On the other hand, assume that the device state acquisition unit 203determines that the user 104 identified in Step S204 (FIG. 7) and theoperator identified in Step S303 do not match with each other in StepS304 (NO in Step S304).

In this case, the device state acquisition unit 203 determines whetheror not the controlled device 103 whose operation state is “completed”exists among the controlled devices 103 identified in Step S303 (StepS305). Specifically, in Step S305, the device state acquisition unit 203determines whether or not the operation history information in which theoperation state is “completed” exists among pieces of the operationhistory information that include the device ID of the identifiedcontrolled device 103 referred to in Step S303.

Assume that, in Step S305, the controlled device 103 whose operationstate is “completed” is determined to exist (YES in Step S305). In thiscase, the panel control unit 204 prevents the notification informationon the controlled device 103 whose operation state is changed to“completed” from being not transmitted to one or more of the users 104existing in the house. For this reason, the panel control unit 204finishes the processing after switching the panel device 102 to thevoice notification mode (Step S406 (FIG. 9)).

On the other hand, assume that, in Step S305, the device stateacquisition unit 203 determines that the controlled device 103 whoseoperation state is “completed” does not exist (NO in Step S305). In thiscase, the panel control unit 204 determines that the panel device 102does not need to be notified of the notification information on thecontrolled device 103, and finishes the processing without switching thepanel device 102 to the notification mode (Step S408 (FIG. 9)).

5-3. Notifying Means Determination Processing

Hereinafter, the notifying means determination processing will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchartshowing an example of the notifying means determination processing. Asshown in FIG. 9, in the notifying means determination processing of StepS103 (FIG. 6), first, the device state acquisition unit 203 acquires aremaining time until the controlled device 103 identified in Step S303(FIG. 8) becomes in a state in which operation is completed (Step S401).

Specifically, in Step S401, the device state acquisition unit 203 refersto an operation state included in the operation history information(FIG. 4) on the controlled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8)among pieces of the operation history information (FIG. 4) acquired inStep S302 in which the notification management is “yet to be performed”.Then, the device state acquisition unit 203 acquires the remaining timefrom the operation state that is referred to.

For example, assume that the operation history information table T1stores three pieces of the operation history information shown in FIG.4, and in Step S303, the controlled device 103 identified by the deviceID “D001” and the device name “washing machine” included in theoperation history information with the ID “001” is identified as anotification target. In this case, the operation state “dehydrating, 15minutes remaining” included in the operation history information of theID “001” is referred to, and “15 minutes” is acquired as the remainingtime.

Note that in a case where information indicating the remaining time isnot included in the operation state of the operation history informationthat is referred to (FIG. 4), and the operation state does not indicatea state that the operation of the controlled device 103 is completed,the device state acquisition unit 203 acquires the remaining time as apredetermined time “m minutes”.

Next, based on an acquisition result of the remaining time in Step S401and information indicating the behavior of the user 104 acquired fromthe behavior determination unit 305 in Steps S207 to S209 (FIG. 7), thenotifying means determination unit 209 determines to which notificationmode the panel device 102 is to be switched (Steps S402, S403, andS404).

In a case where the remaining time acquired in Step S401 is equal to orlonger than the predetermined time “m minutes” (YES in Step S402), thenotifying means determination unit 209 determines a notification modecorresponding to the behavior of the user 104 (Step S403).

Specifically, in a case of acquiring information indicating that thebehavior of the user 104 is the behavior “gazing” from the behaviordetermination unit 305 (“gazing” in Step S403), the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 determines to switch the panel device 102 to thedetailed display notification mode. The detailed display notificationmode is a mode, in which the output mode of the notification informationon the controlled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) is set todisplay of the notification information on the display unit 210, and thecontent of the notification information is set to information indicatingthe setting and an operation state of the controlled device 103. Then,the notifying means determination unit 209 transmits to the panelcontrol unit 204 an instruction to switch the panel device 102 to thedetailed display notification mode. The panel control unit 204 switchesthe panel device 102 to the detailed display notification mode accordingto the instruction received from the notifying means determination unit209 (Step S405).

Specifically, in Step S405, the notifying means determination unit 209acquires, as the content of the notification information on thecontrolled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8), a device name(for example, “washing machine”), a setting parameter (for example,“automatic course detergent XX”), and an operation state (for example,“dehydrating, 15 minutes remaining”) of the operation historyinformation (FIG. 4) on the controlled device 103. Then, the notifyingmeans determination unit 209 instructs the panel control unit 204 todisplay the notification information of the acquired content on thedisplay unit 210. Upon receiving the instruction, the panel control unit204 controls the display unit 210 to display the image Gc indicating thenotification information of the instructed content, as shown in FIG. 5C,for example.

On the other hand, assume that the notifying means determination unit209 acquires information indicating that the behavior of the user 104 isthe behavior “glancing” from the behavior determination unit 305(“glancing” in Step S403). Alternatively, assume that the useridentification unit 302 determines in Step S204 (FIG. 7) that the user104 cannot be identified. In these cases, the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 determines to switch the panel device 102 to thesummary display notification mode. The summary display notification modeis a mode, in which the output mode of the notification information onthe controlled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) is set todisplay of the notification information on the display unit 210, and thecontent of the notification information is set to information indicatingan operation state of the controlled device 103. Then, the notifyingmeans determination unit 209 transmits to the panel control unit 204 aninstruction to switch the panel device 102 to the summary displaynotification mode. The panel control unit 204 switches the panel device102 to the summary display notification mode according to theinstruction received from the notifying means determination unit 209(Step S407).

Specifically, in Step S407, the notifying means determination unit 209acquires, as the content of the notification information on thecontrolled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8), a device name(for example, “washing machine”) and an operation state (for example,“dehydrating, 15 minutes remaining”) of the operation historyinformation (FIG. 4) on the controlled device 103. Then, the notifyingmeans determination unit 209 instructs the panel control unit 204 todisplay the notification information of the acquired content on thedisplay unit 210. Upon receiving the instruction, the panel control unit204 controls the display unit 210 to display the image Ga indicating thenotification information of the instructed content, as shown in FIG. 5A,for example.

Further, assume that the notifying means determination unit 209 acquiresinformation indicating that the behavior of the user 104 is the behavior“not looking” from the behavior determination unit 305 (“not looking” inStep S403). In this case, the notifying means determination unit 209determines an output mode of the notification information on thecontrolled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) to be non-outputof the notification information. In this case, the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 does not transmit to the panel control unit 204an instruction to switch the panel device 102 to the notification mode.For this reason, the panel control unit 204 finishes the processingwithout switching the panel device 102 to the notification mode (StepS408). In this manner, unnecessary notification of the notificationinformation to the user 104 who behaves with a low intention ofacquiring information can be avoided.

Furthermore, assume that the remaining time acquired by the notifyingmeans determination unit 209 in Step S401 is less than the predeterminedtime “m minutes”. Alternatively, assume that the operation statereferred to by the notifying means determination unit 209 in Step S401indicates a state in which the operation is completed (NO in Step S402).In these cases, the notifying means determination unit 209 determinesthe notification mode corresponding to the behavior of the user 104determined in Step S101 (Step S404).

Specifically, in a case of acquiring information indicating that thebehavior of the user 104 is the behavior “gazing” from the behaviordetermination unit 305 (“gazing” in Step S404), the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 performs Step S405 described above. On the otherhand, in a case where the notifying means determination unit 209acquires information indicating that the behavior of the user 104 is thebehavior “glancing” from the behavior determination unit 305 (“glancing”in Step S404), Step S407 described above is performed.

Further, in a case of acquiring information indicating that the behaviorof the user 104 is the behavior “not looking” from the behaviordetermination unit 305 (“not looking” in Step S404), the notifying meansdetermination unit 209 determines to switch the panel device 102 to thevoice notification mode. The voice notification mode is a mode, in whichthe output mode of the notification information on the controlled device103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) is set to output of voiceindicating the notification information by the voice output unit 205,and the content of the notification information is set to informationindicating the setting and an operation state of the controlled device103. Then, the notifying means determination unit 209 transmits to thepanel control unit 204 an instruction to switch the panel device 102 tothe voice notification mode. The panel control unit 204 switches thepanel device 102 to the voice notification mode according to theinstruction received from the notifying means determination unit 209(Step S406).

Specifically, in Step S406, the notifying means determination unit 209acquires, as the content of the notification information on thecontrolled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8), a device name(for example, “microwave oven”), a setting parameter (for example,“preheating oven to 150° C.”), and an operation state (for example,“completed”) of the operation history information (FIG. 4) on thecontrolled device 103. Then, the notifying means determination unit 209instructs the panel control unit 204 to cause the voice output unit 205to output a voice message indicating the notification information of theacquired content. Upon receiving the instruction, the panel control unit204 controls the voice output unit 205 to output the voice message Vbindicating the notification information of the instructed content, asshown in FIG. 5B, for example.

Note that the voice message indicating the notification information maybe generated by the cloud server 101. Then, the panel control unit 204may acquire the generated voice message Vb from the cloud server 101.Further, in a case of switching the panel device 102 to the voicenotification mode, the panel control unit 204 may further display theimage Gb indicating the operation state of the controlled device 103, asshown in FIG. 5B, for example.

According to the configuration of the above embodiment, based on theoperation history information, the controlled device 103 whose state ischanged or whose state is changeable within a predetermined time amongone or more of the controlled devices 103 and the operator who performsoperation relating to the change in the state are identified. Then, thenotification information is output to the panel device 102 that detectsthe user 104 in the vicinity. The output mode and content of thenotification information are determined based on the information on theidentified controlled device 103 and the operator, and the user ID ofthe detected user 104 and the determination result of the behavior ofthe detected user 104. For this reason, the user 104 existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 that outputs the notificationinformation can be notified of the information on the controlled device103 having the content corresponding to the behavior of the user himselfor herself in the output mode corresponding to the behavior of the userhimself or herself.

Modified Embodiment

Note that the above embodiment is merely an example of the embodimentaccording to the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit thepresent disclosure to the above embodiment. The embodiment according tothe present disclosure may be, for example, a modified embodimentdescribed below. Note that, in the description hereinafter, constituentssimilar to those described above will be attached with the samereference numerals and the description of the constituents will beomitted.

(1) The cloud server 101 may include a storage unit similar to the userinformation storage unit 208 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, what is called anedge server capable of communicating with one or more of the paneldevices 102 in the house and one or more of the controlled devices 103and the cloud server 101 via the network 110 may be provided in thehouse. Then, the edge server may include a storage unit similar to theuser information storage unit 208 (FIG. 2).

In accordance with this, the user behavior acquisition unit 207 (FIGS. 2and 3) may transmit an image shot by a camera to the cloud server 101(or edge server). Then, the cloud server 101 (or edge server) mayperform processing similar to that of the skeleton detection unit 301,the user identification unit 302, the face detection unit 303, and thebehavior determination unit 305 (FIG. 3) based on the image received bythe communication unit 211 and the information stored in its own storageunit.

(2) Instead of the skeleton detection unit 301 and the face detectionunit 303, a detection unit that detects a feature amount of a personexisting in the vicinity of the panel device 102 may be provided. Forexample, the detection unit is preferably configured to include acamera, a microphone, a microcomputer, and the like. Then, the detectionunit is preferably configured to detect a feature amount of a retina, aheight, voice or the like of a person from an image of the user 104existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 shot by a camera andvoice of the user 104 existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102uttered with a microphone.

In accordance with this, data indicating the feature amount of a retina,a height, voice, or the like of each of the users 104 is preferablycreated in the initial setting performed when the panel device 102 isinstalled in the house. Then, the created data is preferably stored inthe user information storage unit 208 in association with the user ID ofeach of the users 104 in advance. Further, the user identification unit302 (FIG. 3) preferably uses a detection result of the detection unitinstead of a detection result of the skeleton detection unit 301 and theface detection unit 303.

(3) The information notified from the panel device 102 to the user 104is not limited to the information on the setting and the state of thecontrolled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8). For example,assume that there is information (first information) that can beassociated with the operation of the identified controlled device 103among pieces of information that are provided by a service used by theuser 104 and that the panel device 102 can acquire from the cloud server101. In this case, the information that can be associated may beincluded in the information notified from the panel device 102 to theuser 104.

For example, assume that there is information indicating the deliverystatus of a product relating to the operation of the identifiedcontrolled device 103 among pieces of delivery information that areprovided by a delivery service used by the user 104 and that the paneldevice 102 can acquire from the cloud server 101. In this case, thenotification information on the identified controlled device 103 mayinclude information indicating the delivery status of the product. Notethat the products include, for example, a detergent used in operation ofa washing process of a washing machine, ingredients such as a meal kitused in cooking operation using a microwave oven, a replacement filternecessary for cleaning operation with a vacuum cleaner, and the like.

(4) The operation history information (FIG. 4) may further includeattribute information indicating whether or not the device requiresnotification to all users. Then, the notifying means determination unit209 may determine the output mode and content of the notificationinformation based on the attribute information.

Specifically, the operation history information on an interphone havingattributes that require an immediate response preferably includes theattribute information indicating that the device requires notificationto all users. Further, similar attribute information is preferablyincluded in the operation history information on the controlled device103 installed in sanitary space such as a bathroom having the attributeof being used by all the users 104 in the house.

Then, in Step S304 (FIG. 8), assume that the user 104 existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 and the operator do not match with eachother. In this case, the notifying means determination unit 209preferably determines whether or not the operation history informationon the controlled device 103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) includesattribute information indicating that the device requires notificationto all users (hereinafter, all user attribute information). Then, in acase where the all user attribute information is included, theprocessing is preferably continued in a similar manner as the case wherethe user 104 in the vicinity and the operator are determined to matchwith each other in Step S304 (FIG. 8) (YES in Step S304).

(5) When operating the controlled device 103, the operator may be ableto preset the user 104 to be notified of the notification information onthe controlled device 103. Then, if the user 104 detected in thevicinity of the panel device 102 is the user 104 set as the user 104 tobe notified, the notification information on the controlled device 103may be notified.

Specifically, the operation history information (FIG. 4) preferablyincludes the user ID (hereinafter, notification target person ID) of theuser 104 who is to be notified of the information on the controlleddevice 103 as designated by the operator of the controlled device 103.

Then, in Step S304 (FIG. 8), assume that the user 104 existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 and the operator do not match with eachother. In this case, the notifying means determination unit 209preferably determines whether or not the notification target person IDincluded in the operation history information on the controlled device103 identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) and the user ID of the user 104existing in the vicinity of the panel device 102 match with each other.Then, in a case where the IDs match with each other, the processing ispreferably continued in a similar manner as the case where the user 104in the vicinity and the operator are determined to match with each otherin Step S304 (FIG. 8) (YES in Step S304).

(6) Based on an elapsed time from a time point at which the notificationinformation (first notification information) including the informationindicating the operation completion state of the controlled device 103(first device) is output until the controlled device 103 is operatednext, the user 104 to whom the notification information is to bere-notified (re-output) may be determined. Then, the notificationinformation may be re-notified to one or more of the panel devices 102that detect the determined user 104 in the vicinity.

Specifically, when the notification management unit 213 changes thenotification management of the operation history information to“completed”, change date and time information indicating the date andtime at the time of the change is preferably further stored inassociation with the operation history information.

Then, in Step S304 (FIG. 8), assume that the user 104 existing in thevicinity of the panel device 102 and the operator do not match with eachother. In this case, the notifying means determination unit 209preferably determines whether or not an elapsed time from the date andtime indicated by the change date and time information associated withthe operation history information on the controlled device 103identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) is equal to or more than apredetermined time.

Then, in a case where the elapsed time is determined to be equal to ormore than the predetermined time in the above determination, theprocessing is preferably continued in a similar manner as the case wherethe user 104 in the vicinity and the operator are determined to matchwith each other in Step S304 (FIG. 8) (YES in Step S304). For example,assume that no operation has been performed for the predetermined timeor more from the time point at which the notification informationincluding the information indicating the operation completion state ofthe controlled device 103 is output. In this case, in the presentspecific example, no matter who the user 104 identified in Step S204 is,the fact that the controlled device 103 is in the operation completedstate can be re-notified.

(7) The schedule data of the user 104 may be stored in the cloud server101, and the notifying means determination unit 209 may determine thecontent of the notification information in conjunction with the scheduledata.

For example, assume that the cloud server 101 stores schedule data forputting a child to sleep at 21:00 every day. In this case, aspreparation for dinner is started a predetermined time (for example,three hours) before the time when the child is put to sleep, thenotifying means determination unit 209 may set a time (for example,18:00) a predetermined time before the time when the child is put tosleep as an operation time of a rice cooker. Then, when the notifyingmeans determination unit 209 determines the content of the notificationinformation at a time point close to the operation time of the ricecooker, the fact that the operation of the rice cooker is necessary maybe included in the content of the notification information as a piece ofadvice for preparing a dinner.

(8) Assume that the behavior of the user 104 is determined to be thebehavior “gazing” in Step S207 (FIG. 7). After the above, assume that,during a period until the notification information including theinformation indicating that the operation of the controlled device 103identified in Step S303 (FIG. 8) is completed is output, the behavior ofthe user 104 is determined to be the behavior “glancing” in Step S208(FIG. 7). In this case, the behavior determination unit 305 maydetermine that the behavior of the user 104 is the behavior “gazing”again, assuming that the degree of intention of acquiring theinformation of the user 104 is still high.

(9) The user behavior acquisition unit 207 may determine that thebehavior of the user 104 is the behavior “gazing” in a case where theuser 104 is approaching the panel device 102. Further, the user behavioracquisition unit 207 may determine that the behavior of the user 104 isthe behavior “not looking” in a case where the user 104 is moving awayfrom the panel device 102.

Specifically, assume that the user 104 in the vicinity of the paneldevice 102 is identified in Step S204 (FIG. 7) (YES in Step S204). Inthis case, the behavior determination unit 305 (FIG. 3) preferablyperforms processing of acquiring a clearance between the panel device102 and the user 104 in the vicinity from the proximity sensor valueacquisition unit 304 twice.

Then, assume that the clearance acquired the second time is equal to orsmaller than the clearance acquired the first time. In this case, theidentified user 104 is considered to approach the panel device 102 andbehave to increase the degree of intention of acquiring information.Therefore, in this case, the behavior determination unit 305 (FIG. 3)preferably determines that the behavior of the user 104 is the behavior“gazing”, as in Step 5207 (FIG. 7).

On the other hand, assume that the clearance acquired the second time islarger than the clearance acquired the first time. In this case, theuser 104 identified in Step S204 is considered to move away from thepanel device 102 and behave to lower the degree of intention ofacquiring information. Therefore, in this case, the behaviordetermination unit 305 (FIG. 3) preferably determines that the behaviorof the user 104 is the behavior “not looking”, as in Step S209 (FIG. 7).

(10) For example, there is a case where one of the user 104 is detectedat the same time in the vicinity of a plurality of the panel devices 102such as two of the panel devices 102 provided in a living room and abedroom adjacent to each other. In this case, the panel device 102 thatoutputs the notification information may be determined based on adetection history of the detected user 104.

Specifically, detection history information (fourth information) ispreferably stored in a storage device (memory) such as an HDD thatconstitutes the operation history storage unit 212 in the cloud server101. The detection history information is information, in which a userID that identifies the user 104, a panel ID that identifies the paneldevice 102 that detects the user 104 in the vicinity, and the number oftimes the panel device 102 detects the user 104 are associated with eachother.

Then, assume that the user 104 existing in the vicinity of the paneldevice 102 is identified in Step S204 (FIG. 7). In this case, the panelcontrol unit 204 preferably transmits the user ID of the user 104 andthe panel ID of the panel device 102 to the cloud server 101. Then, inthe cloud server 101, every time the user ID and the panel ID arereceived, the number of times of the detection of the detection historyinformation including the received user ID and panel ID is preferablyincremented by one.

Then, before switching the notification mode in Steps S405, S406, andS407, the panel control unit 204 preferably acquires the detectionhistory information including the user ID acquired in Step S204 (FIG. 7)from the cloud server 101. Then, the panel control unit 204 preferablyrefers to the panel ID included in the detection history informationhaving a largest number of times of detection among pieces of theacquired detection history information.

Then, the panel control unit 204 preferably performs switching of thenotification mode in Steps S405, S406, and S407 in a case where thepanel ID that is referred to matches with the panel ID of the paneldevice 102 including itself. On the other hand, the panel control unit204 preferably does not perform switching of the notification mode inSteps S405, S406, and S407 in a case where the panel ID that is referredto does not match with the panel ID of the panel device 102 includingitself. In this case, the notification information can be output to thepanel device 102 that is most likely to be approached by the user 104.In this manner, the notification information can be notified to the user104 more reliably.

However, without limitation to the above, all the panel devices 102 thatsimultaneously detect the same user 104 may output the notificationinformation.

(11) The content of the notification information may be increased as thetime during which the behavior of the user 104 is the behavior “gazing”becomes longer.

For example, assume that the behavior of the user 104 is determined tobe the behavior “gazing”, and, in Step S405 (FIG. 9), the panel controlunit 204 switches the panel device 102 to the detailed displaynotification mode. In this case, the panel control unit 204 preferablyfirst displays the notification information including only theinformation indicating the state of the controlled device 103, as in thesummary display notification mode. Then, when the time during which thebehavior of the user 104 is determined to be the behavior “gazing”becomes longer than a predetermined time, the panel control unit 204 mayadditionally display the information indicating the setting of thecontrolled device 103.

(12) In the above aspect, a technique realized by the cloud server 101may be realized by types of cloud services like, for example, aninfrastructure as a service (Iaas), a platform as a service (Paas), andsoftware as a service (Saas). However, the types of cloud services thatrealize the technique described in the above aspect are not limited tothese.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The notification system and the notification method according to thepresent disclosure are useful in a residence and the like where one ormore users share one or more devices and perform daily activities.

1. An information output method in an information output device thatoutputs information to one or more output devices used by one or moreusers, the information output method comprising: acquiring firstinformation on an operation history of one or more devices operated bythe one or more users; performing processing of acquiring secondinformation that identifies a user detected in a vicinity of the one ormore output devices; acquiring third information on behavior of the userdetected in the vicinity of the one or more output devices; identifyinga device whose state is changed or whose state is changeable within apredetermined time among the one or more devices and an operator whoperforms operation relating to the change in the state based on thefirst information; determining an output mode and content ofnotification information on the identified device to the detected userbased on information on the identified device and operator, the secondinformation, and the third information; and outputting, in thedetermined output mode, notification information having the determinedcontent to one or more output devices that detect the detected user. 2.The information output method according to claim 1, wherein theinformation output device includes a memory that stores in advanceidentification information that identifies the one or more users andcharacteristic information including at least one of informationindicating a skeleton of the one or more users and informationindicating a face in a manner that the identification information andthe characteristic information are associated with each other, theinformation output method further comprising: acquiring thecharacteristic information of the detected user from an image obtainedby shooting the detected user; and acquiring the identificationinformation corresponding to the acquired characteristic informationfrom the memory, and generating the acquired identification informationas the second information.
 3. The information output method according toclaim 1, wherein the third information is information on first behaviorindicating that intention of acquiring information is first degree,information on second behavior indicating that intention of acquiringinformation is second degree higher than the first degree, orinformation on third behavior indicating that intention of acquiringinformation is third degree lower than the first degree.
 4. Theinformation output method according to claim 3, further comprising:shooting a user detected in the vicinity of the one or more outputdevices; generating the third information indicating the second behaviorin a case where recognition time during which a face of the detecteduser can be recognized from the shot image is the first time or more;generating the third information indicating the first behavior in a casewhere the recognition time is less than the first time; and generatingthe third information indicating the third behavior in a case where,although a face of the detected user cannot be recognized from the shotimage, a skeleton of the detected user can be recognized.
 5. Theinformation output method according to claim 3, further comprising:performing processing of acquiring twice a clearance between the one ormore output devices and the detected user; generating the thirdinformation indicating information on the second behavior in a casewhere the clearance acquired a second time is equal to or less than theclearance acquired a first time; and generating the third informationindicating information on the third behavior in a case where theclearance acquired a second time is larger than the clearance acquired afirst time.
 6. The information output method according to claim 1,wherein the one or more output devices include a display unit thatdisplays information and a voice output unit that outputs voice, and theoutput mode includes at least one of displaying of the notificationinformation on the display unit and output of voice indicating thenotification information by the voice output unit, or non-output of thenotification information.
 7. The information output method according toclaim 1, wherein the content includes information indicating a state ofthe identified device or information indicating setting and a state ofthe identified device.
 8. The information output method according toclaim 1, further comprising: further acquiring fourth information on ahistory of the one or more output devices detecting the one or moreusers in the vicinity; and identifying an output device of an outputdestination of the notification information based on the fourthinformation and the second information in a case where a user isdetected in a vicinity of a plurality of output devices.
 9. Theinformation output method according to claim 1, wherein the one or moreoutput devices include a display unit that displays information, theinformation output method further comprising: determining displaying ofthe notification information on the display unit as the output mode, anddetermining a state of the identified device as the content in a casewhere the second information cannot be acquired.
 10. The informationoutput method according to claim 1, wherein the first informationincludes remaining time information indicating remaining time until theone or more devices change to a state in which operation is completed,the information output method further comprising: determining the outputmode and the content based on remaining time indicated by the remainingtime information on the identified device and the third information. 11.The information output method according to claim 1, further comprising:determining, based on elapsed time from a time point at which firstnotification information on a first device is output until the firstdevice is operated next, a user to which the first notificationinformation is to be re-output; and re-outputting the first notificationinformation to one or more output devices that detect the determineduser in the vicinity.
 12. An information output device that outputsinformation to one or more output devices used by one or more users, theinformation output device comprising: a first acquisition unit thatacquires first information on an operation history of one or moredevices operated by the one or more users; a second acquisition unitthat performs processing of acquiring second information that identifiesa user detected in the vicinity of the one or more output devices; athird acquisition unit that acquires third information on behavior of auser detected in the vicinity of the one or more output devices; anidentification unit that identifies a device whose state is changed orwhose state is changeable within a predetermined time among the one ormore devices and an operator who performs operation relating to thechange in the state based on the first information; a determination unitthat determines an output mode and content of notification informationon the identified device to the detected user based on information onthe identified device and operator, the second information, and thethird information; and an output unit that outputs, in the determinedoutput mode, notification information having the determined content toone or more output devices that detect the detected user.
 13. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program forcausing a computer to execute the information output method according toclaim 1.